Toy vehicle and launching device therefor



R. D. HOL-r 2,803,922

TOY VEHICLE AND LAUNCHING DEVICE THEREFOR Aug. 27, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Aug. 21, 1950 v INVENTOR. RALPH D. Ho/.Tl

`4/ I N) A.r 29".' ATTORNEY Aug. 27, 1957 R, HOL-T- 2,803,922

TOY VEHICLE AND LAUNCHING DEVICE THEREFOR Oriiinal Filed Aug. 21, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 'RALPH D. HoLT ATTORNEY TOY VEHCLE AND LAUNCHlNG DEVICE THEREFOR Ralph D. Holt, Canton, hio; The Harter Bank & Trust Company, Canton, lrio, executor of said Ralph l). Holt, deceased Continuation of application Serial No. 186,640, August 21, 1950. This application March 12, 1954, Serial No. 415,832

12 Claims. (Cl. in-21212) This invention relates generally to amusement devices and more particularly is directed to a toy vehicle and rneans for launching or projecting the vehicle.

This application is a ycontinuation of my earlier abandoned application Serial Number 180,640.

In this modern age there is considerable activity, discussion, and showing of objects that pertain to atom bombs, guided missiles, jet propulsion and the like and it is only natural that children in some measure become acquainted and interested in these things, particularly with respect to toys which include components or features which simulate those actually -in use.

With this in mind, one of the principal `objects of the subject invention is to provide a novel toy -along the line of jet or rocket propulsion embodying improved principles of design and construction. More particularly, an object is to provide a launching unit comprising a platform or ramp, a housing, and unique means carried by the housing for projecting or launching a vehicle, such as a toy automobile or racing car, from the platform.

An important object of the invention is to provide the housing with an opening and the rear end of the car with an elongated projection simulating a rocket jet which is adapted to enter the opening for engagement with the projecting means.

j A significant object of the invention is to provide the platform with lguideways or tracks for the Wheels of the car for locating the projection in the 4opening and for guiding the `car in 1a straight forward direction.

Another object of the invention is to provide the rear end of the car with a rudder-like medial iin for supporting the jet-like projection.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a construction in which the projecting means lcan be readily detachably connected to the housing.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a device of pleasing design and shape that can be economically manufactured on a production basis.

A further object of the invention is to provide a launching unit of the character above referred to which will withstand considerable shock and stra-ins when subjected to hard usage.

Additional objects `and advantages of the invention will appear after the description hereinafter set forth is considered in conjunction with the drawings annexed hereto wherein two embodiments of the invention are exemplified.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a top view of one embodiment of a 1aunching unit;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the unit illustrated in Figure l, including a `car seated on the platform of such unit;

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 3 3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 4-4 of Figure 2, showing details of the housing and projecting means;

Patent ICC 2 Y Figure 5 is a side view of a component of the projecting means;

Figure 6 is a top view of a second embodiment of a launching unit having a streamlined housing and a different type of projecting means associated therewith;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal section of the unit depicted in Figure 6, including a car seated on the platform of such unit; and

Figure 8 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 8-8 of Figure 7.

As stated above, two embodiments of the invention are exemplified in the drawings. The embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 through 5 will be described rst.

The device employed for launching or projecting the car may be designed and constructed as desired and also made `from any material suitable for the purpose. As illustrated herein, it is elongated and of a unitary character and includes a platform or ramp 1 at one extremity, a housing 2 at its other extremity, and projecting means 3 associated with the housing. The device is preferably made from a durable moulded plastic to constitute an integral unit of a s-ize and shape for convenient handling and for manipulation on a substantially fiat surface, 'such as a floor. The upper side of the platform is preferably provided with a pair of grooves 4 constituting guideways for tnacks for receiving and guiding wheels 5 of a streamlined toy automotive vehicle 6. The tracks are straight and parallel and extend the full length of the platform and may be inclined as indicated at 7 adjacent the fore end of the platform. The `central portion of the platform between the tracks 4 is elevated, reinforced, and supported by a longitudinal medial rib 8 to impart strength and rigidity to the platform. The means for guiding the car 6 may, of course, be constructed in other ways. For example, the platform can be formed with a single channel formation so that the sides lof the channel serve as guides for the car wheels.

The housing 2, which supports the projecting means 3, is open at its bottom and includes an upstanding front Wall 9, corresponding parallel side Wall-s 1li), a horizontal top Wall 11 and an arcuate'rear wall 12 which merges with the top wall 11. The horizontal top wall 11 and the upstanding front wall 9 are preferably reinforced at the midpoint along their horizontal line of junction by an integral portion which increases the thickness of wall 9 and provides a boss 13 which may `also serve. as a stop `for the outer extremity of an elongated hammer or knocker 14, `constituting a component of the projecting means 3. The Wall 9 and boss 13 are provided with a `cylindrical opening 15 which is adapted to receive a tapered cylin d rical jet-like projection or extension 16 extending rearwardly from the car 6. The wall 9 serves as a st-op for the rear end of the car to locate the end of the projection in a predetermined position for engagement by the hammer. The lcorresponding side walls lit and the upstanding wall 9 are preferably reinforced along their vertical lines of junction by upstanding integral ribs 17 as shown in Figures l and 4. These ribs also 4serve to reinforce the junctions ibetween the horizontal top wall 11 and the arcuate wall 12 and the side walls 1@ and between top wall 11 and wall 9. Each side wall 1i) and rib 17 are provided with an aperture 18. These apertures are aligned and iocated adjacent the lower ends of the ribs 17 and receive pivots 19 carried by the lower extremity of the hammer 14.

The projecting or driving means 3 comprises the hammer 14 and a helical spring Zti for actuating the hammer to forcibly engage the projection 16 to project the car 6 forwardly from the platform. The hammer 14, among other things, is provided with a finger portion 21 which extends exteriorly of the housing for manipulation through a guide slot 22 therefor in the arcuate rear wall 12. The hammer is preferably constructed from moulded plastic and is formed to include a pair of corresponding legs 23 joined together by a bridge 24. Each leg is provided with a lateral integral offset portion 25. Each of 'the lateral portions 425 is maintained in a rigid .position with a leg 23 by means of a triangular web 26 which serves as a brace. The integral points tof connection between the legs and the bridge 24 are such `that the legs can be .manually moved with respect to one another to facilitatevassembling Yof the hammer with the housing. Each of the lateral portions carries a pivot 19 permanently secured thereto. These pivots are received in the ,apertures 18. It will be noted that the outer end of each pivot projects outwardly from an offset portion a distance substantially corresponding to the combined thickness of a side wall and rib 17. As a result, the ends of the pivots will be ,inset or flush `with respect to the outer :planar surfaces of the side walls 10 as depicted in Figure 4. The front side of the bridge 24 is provided .with a forwardly extending boss 27 constituting an impact surface for the end of the projection 16 on the car. The linger portion 21 for manipulating the hammer is integral with bridge 24. The rear side of the bridge is provided with a clearance recess 28 for the upper end of the spring 20 which is connected to the bridge by a cross pin 29 extending lengthwise through a hole 30 in the bridge 24 shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5.

The ends of a cross rod 32 are supported in holes provided therefor in the side walls 10 and ribs 17 of the housing. The lower end of the spring 20 is connected to the intermediate portion of the cross rod to normally place the spring under tension. The space between the legs Z3 of the hammer provides sufficient clearance for movement of the spring. The point of connection between the spring and cross rod is located between the upstanding wall 9 and the axes of the pivots 19 and slightly below the latter. It is to be noted that the lo-wer end margin 33 of slot 22, the axes of the pivots 19, and the points of connection between the cross pin 29 and cross rod 32 and the ends of the springs are so constructed and arranged with respect to one another that when the hammer is manually pivoted to the dotted line position illustrated in Figure 2, the point of connection between the cross pin and spring will take an off-center position below the axes of the pivots, and thereby automatically hold the hammer in place in a preloaded or cocked condition. More specifically in this respect, when the hammer is in the position illustrated by the full lines in Figure 2, the line of force exerted by the spring between the cross pin and cross rod will be located above the pivotal axis of the hammer and when the hammer is in the dotted line position, the line of force between the cross pin and cross rod will be below such pivotal axis. It is also to be noted that since the upper end of the spring is connected to the rear side of the hammer, the cross rod 32 can be located somewhat closer to the pivotal axis of the hammer and therebypermit the use of a housing of moderate size.

As pointed out above, the projecting means 3 can be readily detachably assembled with the housing. This is accomplished in one way by inserting the finger 21 of the hammer into the slot 22 and contracting the legs 23 of the hammer and locating the pivots 19 so that one or both of the pivots 19 may snap into an aperture or apertures 1S. The ends of the spring are then attached to the cross pin 29 and cross rod 32.

The car 6 is preferably constructed of moulded plastic and made relatively light in weight so that it can be readily projected. Its rear extremity is provided with an integral generally triangular rudder-like iin 34 which carries the jet-like projection 16. The projection 16 is 4 height for entry into the opening 1S in the wall 9 of the housing.

To operate the device the hammer 14 1s manually moved to the cocked position illustrated by the dotted lines in Figure 2. The car is then placed on the platform with its rear extremity in abutment with the wall 9 of the housing to place the projection in the opemng 15 so that its end will be located in a Vpredetermined pos1- tion in the housing for engagement by the hammer. The hammer may then be released by merely lifting it slightly above its dead-center position so that it will snap or fly upwardly and forwardly with considerable force to cause its boss 27 to bang against the end of the projection 16 on the car to project the car forwardly olf the platform at a fast rate of speed. The tracks 4 serve to guide the car in a straight course as it leaves the platform. The iin 34 also assists in steering the car in such course.

The second embodiment of the invention exemplified in Figures 6, 7 and 8 of the drawing is ,provided with a different type of projecting means and will now be described. The elongated launching unit of this embodiment includes a platform 36 corresponding to platform 1 and a streamlined housing 37. The housing is open at its bottom and includes a generally triangular top horizontal wall 38, curved vertical side walls 39, .a vertical front end wall 40, and a rear end wall 4,1 to form the design and construction shown. The vertical front wall 40 is provided with an opening 42 for receiving a jet-like projection 43 extending rearwardly from a streamlined car 44. This vertical wall is ,reinforced by an inner boss 45 which joins with the top wall to impart strength and rigidity to the structure. The top wall and side walls are reinforced by a transverse depending partition 46 having an arcuate notch 47 therein. The rear end wall 41 is provided with an aperture 48.

Projecting means in the form of a plunger assembly are adapted to be permanently secured as a unit `to the housing 37. This plunger assembly includes a cylindrical plastic barrel 49 which extends through the aperture 48 and is secured in the notch 47 of the partition by plastic cement 50. The outer end of the barrel is provided with a circular head 51 which is secured in bearing relationship with the rear Wall 41 by plastic cement 52. The barrel is further provided with a cylindrical bore 53 having an apertured partition 54. A plunger rod 55 extends through the partition 54 and is provided with a piston-like hammer 56 at its inner end and a manually engageable knob 57 at its outer end. The hammer 56 is reciprocally mounted in the bore and helical springs 58 and 59 are arranged in the bore and surround the rod 55. The spring 59 is the actuating spring and one end bears against the hammer and its other end against the partition. The spring 58 is a compensating spring and serves to cushion the forward movement of the plunger and prevent severe shock -between the knob 57 and the barrel.

The car 44 i's provided with a rudder-like fin 60. It will be noted that the projection 43 extends rearwardly from the lower portion of the trailing edge of the iin. In other Words, it is located on a level somewhat lower than the projection 16 of the first embodiment.

To operate the second embodiment, the plunger rod 55 is pulled back to compress and place the actuating spring 59 under tension. The car 44 is then placed on the platform with its rear extremity abutting the front Wall 40 of the housing and the projection extending through the opening 42 so that its end is located in a predetermined position, after which the plunger rod is released to cause the hammer to strike the projection 43 with considerable force to project the car forwardly off the platform at a fast rate of speed in `a manner substantially corresponding to the rst embodiment. If found desirable, means may be included for holding the plunger rod in la cocked position.

In view of the foregoing it will be manifest that the two embodiments of the invention disclosed embody improved principles of design and construction and possess the attributes set forth.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various modications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of theI invention, and, therefore, I do not wish to ber understood as limiting myself to the exact forms, constructions, arrangements, and combination of parts herein shown yand described.

I claim:

l. A toy projecting device for a vehicle having an extension, comprising a housing having a front wall provided with an opening for receiving said extension, said housing also having a pair of side Walls and a rear wall, a guide slotA provided in the rear Wall, an elongated hammer having one extremity pivotally mounted on the side walls and its other extremity formed to provide a handle extending through the guide slot for manual engagement, and an elongated spring having one end secured to the hammer at a point adjacent its outer extremity and its other end to the housing at a point 'at one side of the piv- -otal connection between the `hammer and housing, the relationship between the slot, pivotal connection and -connectons between the spring, hammer Iand housing being such that the handle of the hammer may be engaged to move the hammer toward the bottom of the slot to cause the Spring to move Vthrough a dead center position to automatically detain'the hammer in a cocked position for subsequent release, saidhammer being adapted to overlie said opening in released position.

. 2. A toylaunching device for a vehicle comprising a one-piece elongated body formed with an elongated platform at one extremity and a housing at its other extremity, said housing being open at its bottom and including a front wall located between the ends of the body and provided with an opening, said housing including side walls and a rear wall provided with a slot, an elongated hammer insertable through the open bottom of the housing and pivotally supported `on the side walls of the housing and extending through the slot in the rear wall, said hammer having a striker portion arranged within the connes of the housing, the portion of the hammer disposed exteriorly of the housing Ibeing adapted for manual engagement to manipulate the hammer into a cocked position, and spring means for `actuating the hammer to forcibly strike -a projection n a vehicle when extended into the housing through said opening.

3. A toy launching device comprising an elongated lbody formed to provide `an uncovered substantially at platform at one extremity and a housing at its other extremity, an opening provided in the housing at a level appreciably above the platform, a hammer pivotally mounted in the housing `and having a projection, and a vehicle supported on the platform and having Ia projection, the arrangement being such that one `of the projections can be extended through the opening in the housing for engagement with the other projection.

4. In combination: a launching device for a vehicle comprising an elongated body having an elongated track at one extremity and a housing at its other extremity, said housing having Ian upstanding front wall constituting the inner terminus of the track, a relatively small opening provided in the upper portion of the front wall, said housing also having a combined top yand rear wall having a slot therein, said housing also having side walls and being open at its bottom, a generally U-shaped hammer insertable through the open 'bottom into the housing and having legs pivotally connected to the side walls of the housing, said hammer having a bridge provided with a handle extending through the slot for manipulating the hammer, a vehicle mounted on the track and having a projection extending through the opening in the front wall, and a projection provided on the bridge of the hammer for striking the projection on the vehicle to project the Vehicle oit the track.

5. The structure dened in claim 4, in which an elongated spring has its outer end yconnected to the bridge and its inner end by connecting means to the side walls of the housing at a location between the lower portion of the front wall and the point of connection `between the legs of the hammer and the side walls of the housing so that the hammer `can `be swung to -a substantially horizontal cocked position with the point of connection between the legs and side walls being disposed above the respective points of connection between the ends of the spring, bridge 4and connecting means.

6. In combination: a launching device for a vehicle comprising an elongated body having an elongated exposed track at one extremity and a housing at its other extremity, said housing having an upst-anding front wall constituting the inner terminus of the track, a relatively small hole provided in said upstanding wall, said housing also having a rear wall provided with a slot and a pair of side walls, an opening in the bottom of the housing, a generally U-shaped hammer insertable into the housing through the opening andhaving legs pivoted to the side walls of the housing, said hammer having a bridge provided with -a handle extending through the slot for manipulating the hammer to a cocked position, a projection provided on the bridge, a Vehicle mounted on the track and having a rearwardly extending projection, one of said projections extending into the hole in the upstanding wall for engaging the other projection, andan elongated spring having one end connected to the bridge of the hammer and its other end to the housing for driving the hammer forwardly.

7. A toy projecting device for a vehicle having an extension, comprising a platform for supporting the vehicle and a housing having a front wall provided with an opening for receiving the extension, said housing also having a pair of side Walls and a rear wall, a guide slot provided in the rear Wall, an elongated hammer pivotally mounted between the side walls and having 'an outer extremity formed to provide a handle extending through the guide slot for manual engagement, and an elongated spring having one end secured to the hammer at a point adjacent its outer extremity and its other end to the housing at a point at one side of the pivotal -connection between the hammer and housing, the relationship between the slot, pivetal connection and :connections between the spring, hammer and housing being such that the handle of the hammer may be engaged to move the hammer toward the bottom of the slot to cause the spring to move through a dead center position to automatically detain the hammer in a cocked position for subsequent release, said hammer being adapted to overlie said opening in released position.

8. In combination: a launching device for a vehicle comprising an elongated body having 'an elongated track at one extremity and a housing at its other extremity, said housing including an upstanding front wall ,constituting the inner terminus of the track, a relatively small opening provided in the upper portion of the front wall, said housing also having side walls and being open at its bottom, a generally U-shaped hammer insertable through the open bottom into the housing and having legs pivotally connected to the side walls of the housing, said hammer having a bridge provided with a handle extending outwardly from the housing for manipulating the hammer, and a vehicle mounted on the track and having a projection extending through the opening in the front wall for engagement by the hammer.

9. The structure defined in claim 8, in which an elongated spring has its outer end connected to the bridge and its inner end by connecting means to the side walls of the housing at a location between the lower portion of the front wall and the point of connection between the legs of the hammer and the side walls of the housing so that the hammer can be swung to a substantially horizontal retracted position with the point of connection between the legs and side walls being disposed at one side of the respective points of connection between the ends of the spring, bridge and connecting means.

10. In combination: a launching device for a vehicle comprising an elongated body having an elongated exposed track at one extremity and a housing at its other extremity, said housing having side walls and an upstanding front wall constituting the inner terminus of the track, a relatively small hole provided in said upstanding wall, an opening in the bottom of the housing, a hammer insertable into the housing through the opening and pivotally mounted between the side walls of the housing, said hammer having a bridge provided with a handle extending outwardly from the housing for manipulating the hammer to a retracted position, a Vehicle mounted on the track and having a rearwardly extending projection extending into the hole in the upstanding Wall for engagement by the hammer, and an elongated spring having one end connected to the bridge of the hammer and its other end to the housing for driving the hammer forwardly.

11. In combination: a launching device for a vehicle comprising an elongated body having a platform `at one extremity and supporting structure adjacent its other extremity, said body having an upstanding wall between said extremities and constituting the inner terminus of the platform, said wall being provided with an opening, a generally U-shaped hammer having legs pivotally connected to the supporting structure, a Vehicle mounted on the Vplatform and having a projection extending into the opening, and a spring for urging the hammer in a direction to strike the projection to drive the vehicle oi the platform.

12. In combination: a launching device for a vehicle comprising an elongated body having an elongated track at one extremity and a housing at its other extremity, said housing having side walls and also an upstanding front wall constituting the inner terminus of the track, an opening provided in the Vupper portion of the front wall, said housing being open at its bottom and having a curved wall provided with a slot therein, a Igenerally U-shaped hammer insertable into the housing through its open bottom and having legs pivotally supported for movement between the side walls of the housing, a vehicle mounted on the track and having a projection extending `into the opening, and said hammer having a bridge provided with a handle extending through the slot for manipulating the hammer, and `a spring for actuating the hammer so that its bridge will engage the projection on the vehicle to drive the vehicle off the track.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,206,773 Boyle Nov. 28, 1916 1,235,439 Cole July 3l, 1917 1,318,708 Turner Oct. 14, 1919 1,382,812 Turner June 28, 1921 1,387,922 Coup Aug. 16, 1921 1,940,103 Rosen Dec. 19, 1933 2,522,160 Borchers Sept. l2, 1950 2,646,645 Cuervo July 28, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 893,682. France Feb. 14 1944 

